Thermomechanical multifunction support device

ABSTRACT

A device for use with piping or other equipment that is subject to changes in position due to variations in its thermal condition. The device comprises actuating means, which is secured to the piping at spaced first and second locations and is movable relative to the piping in response and in direct proportion to expansion or contraction resulting from said variations in thermal condition, and coupling means. The actuating means includes a rigid member connected at one end to the piping at the first location and a ball screw and nut unit connected to the piping at the second location and connected to the other end of the rigid member. The coupling means is variable in effective length and is connected at one end to the ball screw and nut unit and at its other end to a stationary support. The coupling means includes gearing which is cooperatively associated with the ball screw and nut unit. The parts are so constructed and arranged that increments of movement of the actuating means cause corresponding variations in the effective length of the coupling means.

Suozzo Jan. 25, 1972 [54] THERMOMECHANICAL MULTIFUNCTION SUPPORT DEVICE3,112,909 l2/l963 Suozzo ..248/58 Primary Examiner-Chancellor E. HarrisAttorney-F. J. Pisarra [5 7 ABSTRACT A device for use with piping orother equipment that is subject to changes in position due to variationsin its thermal condition. The device comprises actuating; means, whichis secured to the piping at spaced first and second locations and ismovable relative to the piping in response and in direct proportion toexpansion or contraction resulting from said variations in thermalcondition, and coupling means. The actuating means includes a rigidmember connected at one end to the piping at the first location and aball screw and nut unit connected to the piping at the second locationand connected to the other end of the rigid member. The coupling meansis variable in effective length and is connected at one end to the ballscrew and nut unit and at its other end to a stationary support. Thecoupling means includes gearing which is cooperatively associated withthe ball screw and nut unit. The parts are so constructed and arrangedthat increments of movement of the actuating means cause correspondingvariations in the effective length of the coupling means.

16 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures PATENTED JANZS I91? SHEET 0F 2 INVENTOR.

LEONARD S. SUOZZO FIG.

AHorney PATENTED JAN25 1972 SHEET E OF 2 On a i INVIJNTUR.

LEON/\Rl) S, SUOZZU At 1orney THERMOMECHANICAL MULTIFUNCTION SUPPORTDEVICE This application is a continuation-in-part of my pending patentapplication Ser. No. 807,048, filed Mar. 13, 1969.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates in general to adevice for properly and effectively supporting and/or controllingmovement of piping or other equipment that is subject to changesinposition due to variations in its thermal condition.

As in the case of the support device of my. said pending application,the subject device is multifunctional in that it may beneficially servein a wide variety of capacities, depending on specific applications, andmay be advantageously employed, by way of example, as:

l. A shock and sway arrestor;

2. A springless constant support;

3. An assist to known spring supports to render them truly constant;and/or 4. A positioner for piping.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The device of this invention is intended foruse with piping or other equipment that is subject tochanges in positiondue to variations in thermal condition. I

The device comprises two basic means, namely actuating means, adapted tobe secured to the piping at spaced first and second locations and tomove relative to the piping in response and in direct proportion to saidvariations in thermal condition, and coupling means connected to theactuating means and adapted to be connected to a stationary support. Theactuating means includes a rigid member, which is adapted to bepivotally connected to the piping at said first location, and a motionconverting mechanism, such as a ball screw and nut unit, which isconnectedl to the rigid member and is adapted to be connected to thepiping atsaid second location. The coupling means is adjustable inlength and is connectedat one end to the motion converting mechanism andis adapted to be connected at its other end to a stationary support. Thecoupling means includes gearing which is cooperatively associated withthe motion converting mechanism.

The objects of this invention include those enumerated in my saidpending application Ser. No. 807,048.

This invention has for a further object the provision ofa device of thecharacter indicated having its parts soconstructed and arranged thatincrements of movement of the actuating means corresponding, but greatlyincreased, changes in the effective length of the coupling means.

The objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent andmanifest to persons trained in than from the ensuing detaileddescription and the accompanying :drawings which describe and illustrateseveral preferred embodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.

In the drawings wherein like reference numerals denote cor respondingparts in the several views:

FIG. I is a view in side elevation of a device of this inventioncooperatively associated with piping;

FIG. 2 is a view corresponding to a portion of FIG. 1 and illustrates afirst modified form of the invention; and

FIG. 3 is a view corresponding to FIG. 2 and illustrates anothermodified form of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring initially to FIG. 1of the drawings, the therein illustrated embodiment of the invention isshown in operative association with a section of piping l which isencased in a suitable heat insulating sheath 11. For the purposes ofthis disclosure, it is assumed that piping section is part of a pipingsystem employed in a high temperature power plant. It is'not uncommon inmodern power plants to utilize piping systems to transmit steam attemperatures in excess of l,000 F. and at pressures greater than L500poundsper square inch. Such systems require adequate support to allowand compensate for movement of the piping due to normal expansion andcontraction of the metal thereof.

The device of FIG. 1 includes a bracket 12 that is secured at a firstlocation to piping section 10 by a weldment 13. The bracket has a pairof upstanding parallel arms 14, only one of which is shown. A secondbracket 15 is secured to the piping section at a second location, spacedfrom bracket 12, by a like weldment 16. This bracket also has a pair ofupstanding parallel arms 17, only one of which is shown.

A housing unit 18 includes a rear wall 19 that is attached to bracketarms 17 by bolts 20. The housing unit also includes side and front walls(not shown) and is provided at the top with a tubular, upwardlyprojecting extension, a portion of which is indicated at 21. t

The device also includes actuating means that is comprised of a rigidmember 22 and a mechanism 23. Rigid member 22 is connected at one end tobracket arms 14 by a pivot pin 24 and is threaded at its other end, asindicated! at 25.

Mechanism 23 is mounted on housing wall 19 and serves the function ofconverting rectilinear motion of rigid member 22 into rotary motion ofparts that will be described further along herein. This mechanismcomprises a pair of spaced bearings 26which are mounted on housing wall19 and a screw member 27 which is journaled for rotation in bearings 26.One end of the screw member is threaded for engagement by a sleeve-typeturnbuckle 30. The turnbuckle also engages threaded end portion 25 ofthe rigid member and serves to adjust the combined length of rigidmember 22 and screw member 27, as required at the time of installation.Mechanism 23 also comprises a nut member 31 which is operatively associated with screw member 27. The mechanism is equipped with a pair ofthrust bearings 32 which are positioned between bearings 26 andcorresponding ends of nut member 31. Mechanism 23 is a low friction unitand is preferably a ball screw and nut unit for the type manufactured byBeaver Precision Products, Inc. of Troy, Mich.

Mounted on and rotatable with nut unit 31 is a bevel gear 33 whichcooperates with a gearing system that will now be described. The gearingsystem includes a bevel gear 34, which meshes with bevel gear 33 and aspur gear 35. Gears 34 and35 are mounted at opposite ends of a shaft 36which is journaled for rotation in bearings 38.

Shaft 36 is equipped with a pair of collars 40 and 41 which preventaxial movement of this shaft and its gears in use. Gear '35 meshes witha pinion 42 that is rotatable with a screw member 43. This screw memberis supported for rotation in a bearing 44. The lower end of screw member43 extends through a wall of a casing 45 which is welded to housing wall19 as indicated at 46. Positioned within the casing is a block 47 thatis also welded to the housing wall and serves as a bottom support forthe screw member. A thrust bearing is interposed between the lower endof the screw member and block 47. The screw member is equipped at itsupper end with a travel stop 49 and is operatively associated with a nutmember 50. Screw member43 and nut member 50 constitute elements of asecond motion converting mechanism.

Secured to the sides of nut member 50, preferably by welding, is a pairof oppositely disposed, upwardly projecting, arcuate members 51. A plate52 is positioned between and welded to the upper ends of member 51.Members 51 carry a pair of oppositely projecting, lateral pins 53 whichregister with corresponding vertical slots (not shown) in portion 21 ofthe tubular extension. These pins serve the dual functions of indicatingvertical travel of the piping section and preventing rotational movementof nut member 50 relative to screw member 43 while permitting movementof the nut member along the screw member. Nut member 50, members 51 andplate 52 are in the nature of a cage." A telescopic cover 54 is mountedon nut member 50 and protectively envelopes the upper portion of screwmember 43.

The device further includes connector means, generally indicated bynumeral 55, which comprises a pair of rods 56 and 57 that are threaded,as shown, and are interconnected by a turnbuckle 58 for adjusting theeffective length at the time of installation. Rod 56 is pivotallyconnected by a pin 58 to a bracket 59 which is anchored to a stationaryoverhead support, such as a beam 60, by bolts or the like 61. As shown,rod 56 extends through the center of plate 52 and is secured thereto bya weldment 62.

For the purpose of outlining the operation of the abovedescribedembodiment of the invention, it is assumed that the device has beeninstalled and that the parts are in the relative position shown inFIG. 1. It will be evident that piping I is being directly supported bythe device. It is also assumed that the piping system is initially incold condition, the temperature of the piping being substantially thesame as that of the ambient atmosphere, for example, 70 F.

When the piping system is placed in active service, steam generated bythe power plant is transmitted therethrough and the temperature of thepiping is gradually increased to a maximum predetermined level, forexample, 1,070 F. As a consequence of this temperature increase, thepiping system is caused to expand or elongate and its position ischanged. The elongation of the portion of piping between bracket plates14 and 17, due to the temperature increase, actuates the inventivedevice, whereby screw member 27 moves toward the right (FIG. 1) to anextent that is directly proportional to such elongation. Due to theinterconnection of screw member 27 and coupling means 55, through themedium of nut member 13, gears 33, 34, 35 and 42, screw member 43, nutmember 50, members 51 and plate 52, the piping is lowered a distancecorresponding to the movement of rigid member 22 and screw member 27. Itwill be manifest that the distance the pipe is lowered is a multiple ofthe movement of the actuating means. Such multiple depends on the designof the particular motion converting mechanisms and the ratios of theseveral intermeshing gears. The parts are so designed and arranged thatsuch distance is the same as the calculated or actual distance thepiping would normally move due to temperature increase from coldcondition to hot condition. Thus, the device both supports the pipingand causes it to move to its calculated or actual normal position due tovariations in the temperature of the piping.

At such time as the power plant is shut down, the temperature of thepiping gradually reduces from 1,070 F. to the ambient temperature ofabout 70 F. and the piping contracts. Such contraction of the pipingcauses the device to operate in a reverse manner, thereby causing thepiping to assume its calculated or normal position at all times duringcooling.

Reference is next had to FIG. 2 for an understanding of the constructionof the modification of the invention shown therein. This modificationincludes parts (not shown) which are the same as the parts in theright-hand portion and in the upper portion of FIG. 1. The device ofFIG. 2 comprises a bracket 65 which is welded to piping 10, as indicatedat 66, and which includes a pair of upstanding parallel arms 67. Bracket65 corresponds to bracket 15 of FIG. I. A housing rear wall 68,corresponding to wall I9 of FIG. 1, is anchored to bracket arms 67 bybolts 69.

The actuating means of FIG. 2 includes earlier described rigid member 22and an extension 70 which has a threaded end portion 71 for connectionto turnbuckle 30 and which has a clevis at its free end. The actuatingmeans also includes a bell crank 73 which is pivoted to the bracket armsby a pin 73'. The bell crank is connected at one end to clevis 72 by apivot pin 74 and its other end to the lower portion of a link 75 by apivot pin 76. The upper end of the link is connected by a pivot pin 77to the lower end of a screw member 78. The screw member is cooperativelyassociated with a nut member 79. These parts are elements of a mechanism80 for converting rectilinear motion of the screw member into rotarymotion of the nut member. Mechanism 80 is preferably the same asmechanism 23 of FIG. I.

A bevel gear 81 is secured to and rotatable with nut member 79 andcoacts with a gearing system which is similar to that of FIG. I. Thegearing system comprises a shaft 82 that is mounted for rotation inbearings 83 and that is provided with collars 84 and 85 to prevent axialmovement. Shaft 82 carries a pair of bevel gears 86 and 87, the lattermeshing with a bevel gear 88 that is affixed to and rotatable with screwmember 43.

The modification of the invention shown in FIG. 3 includes a number ofparts which are the same as or similar to corresponding parts embodiedin the constructions illustrated in FIGS. l and 2. The construction ofFIG. 3 utilizes a link 90 in place of bell crank 73 of FIG. 2. Link 90is pivoted at its lower end to bracket arms 67 by a pin 91 and its upperend to a link 92 by a pin 93. Link 92 is, in turn, connected by a pivotpin 94 to an end of a screw member 95. This screw member is an elementof a motion converting mechanism 96 which is essentially the same as theearlier described motion converting mechanisms. The motion convertingmechanism also includes a nut member 97 which carries a spur gear 98.This gear meshes with a pinion 99. The remaining parts of the device ofFIG. 3 are the same as those shown in other views.

The forms of the invention depicted in FIGS. 2 and 3 operate in the samegeneral manner as that shown in FIG. 1 as will be evident from anexamination thereof.

Based on the foregoing, it is believed that the construction, operation,objects and advantages of my present invention will be readilycomprehended by persons skilled in the art, without further description.It is to be clearly understood, however, that various changes in theconstructions described above and illustrated in the drawings may bemade without departing from the scope of the invention, it beingintended that all matter contained in the description or shown in thedrawings shall be interposed as illustrative only and not in a limitingsense.

I claim:

1. A device for use with equipment, such as piping, that is subject tochanges in position resulting from expansion or contraction due tovariations in its thermal condition comprising:

a. actuating means adapted to be secured to the piping at spaced firstand second locations and to move relative to the piping as the pipingexpands or contracts in response and in direct proportion to saidvariations in thermal condition, said actuating means including:

1. a rigid member adapted to be connected at one end to the piping atsaid first location and move along a generally rectilinear path in use;and

2. a mechanism for converting such movement of the rigid member intorotary motion, said mechanism being adapted to be secured to the pipingat said second location; and

b. coupling means operably connected to the actuating means and adaptedto be connected to a stationary support, said coupling means including:

l. a connector means adapted to be connected to a stationary support;and

2. gearing interposed between and coacting with the mechanism and theconnector means.

2. A device according to claim I wherein the mechanism comprises:

a. a screw member connected to the other end of the rigid member;

b. a nut member operativ ely associated with the screw member; and

c. a gear carried by and rotatable with the nut member and engaging thegearing.

3. A device according to claim 2 wherein the screw member is connecteddirectly to the rigid member and moves along the path of movementthereof in use.

4. A device according to claim 2 wherein the actuating means alsoincludes:

a. a lever adapted to be pivotally connected to the piping at saidsecond location, said lever being pivotally connected to the other endof the rigid member and to the screw member at spaced points.

5. A device according to claim 4 wherein the lever comprises:

a bell crank which is pivotally connected at one end to the rigid memberand at its other end to the screw member.

6. A device according to claim 5 wherein the path of movement of thescrew member is generally normal to that of the rigid member.

7. A device according to claim 4 wherein the lever is adapted to bepivotally connected at one end to the piping at said second location, ispivotally connected at its other end to the screw member and ispivotally connected intermediate its ends to the rigid member.

8. A device according to claim 5 wherein the path of movement of thescrew member is generally parallel to that of the rigid member.

9. A device for use with equipment, such as piping, that is subject tochanges in position resulting from expansion or contraction due tovariations in its thermal condition comprising:

a. actuating means adapted to be secured to the piping at spaced firstand second locations and to move relative to the piping as the pipingexpands or contracts in response and in direct proportion to saidvariations in thermal condition, said actuating means including:

1. a rigid member adapted to be connected at one end to the piping atsaid first location and move along a generally rectilinear path in use;and

2. a first mechanism for converting such movement of the rigid memberinto rotary motion, said mechanism being adapted to be secured to thepiping at said second location; and

b. coupling means operably connected to the actuating means and adaptedto be connected to a stationary support, said coupling means including:

1. connector means;

2. gearing interposed between and coacting with the first mechanism andthe connector means; and

3. a second mechanism for converting rotary movement of the gearing intolineal movement relative to the connector means.

10. A device according to claim 9 wherein the first mechanism comprises:

a. a first screw member connected to the other end of the rigid member;

b. a first nut member operatively associated with the screw member; and

c. a first gear carried by and rotatable with the nut member andengaging the gearing; and

wherein the second mechanism comprises:

a. a second screw member connected to gearing;

b. a second nut member operatively associated with the second screwmember and connected to the connector member; and

c. a second gear carried by and rotatable with the second screw memberand engaging the gearing.

11. A device according to claim 10 wherein the first screw member isconnected directly to the rigid member and moves along the path ofmovement thereof in use.

12. A device according to claim 10 wherein the actuating means alsoincludes:

a. a lever adapted to be pivotally connected to the piping at saidsecond location, said lever being pivotally connected to the other endof the rigid member and to the first screw member at spaced points.

13. A device according to claim 12 wherein the lever comprises:

a. a bell crank which is pivotally connected at one end to the rigidmember and at its other end to the first screw member.

14. A device according to claim 13 wherein the path of movement of thefirst screw member is generally normal to that of the rigid member.

15. A device according to claim 12 wherein the lever is adapted to bepivotally connected at one end to the piping at said second location, ispivotally connected at its other end to the first screw member and ispivotally connected intermediate its ends to the rigid member.

16. A device according to claim 15 wherein the path of movement of thefirst screw member is generally parallel to that of the rigid member.

1. A device for use with equipment, such as piping, that is subject tochanges in position resulting from expansion or contraction due tovariations in its thermal Condition comprising: a. actuating meansadapted to be secured to the piping at spaced first and second locationsand to move relative to the piping as the piping expands or contracts inresponse and in direct proportion to said variations in thermalcondition, said actuating means including:
 1. a rigid member adapted tobe connected at one end to the piping at said first location and movealong a generally rectilinear path in use; and
 2. a mechanism forconverting such movement of the rigid member into rotary motion, saidmechanism being adapted to be secured to the piping at said secondlocation; and b. coupling means operably connected to the actuatingmeans and adapted to be connected to a stationary support, said couplingmeans including:
 1. a connector means adapted to be connected to astationary support; and
 2. gearing interposed between and coacting withthe mechanism and the connector means.
 2. a mechanism for convertingsuch movement of the rigid member into rotary motion, said mechanismbeing adapted to be secured to the piping at said second location; andb. coupling means operably connected to the actuating means and adaptedto be connected to a stationary support, said coupling means including:2. gearing interposed between and coacting with the mechanism and theconnector means.
 2. A device according to claim 1 wherein the mechanismcomprises: a. a screw member connected to the other end of the rigidmember; b. a nut member operatively associated with the screw member;and c. a gear carried by and rotatable with the nut member and engagingthe gearing.
 2. a first mechanism for converting such movement of therigid member into rotary motion, said mechanism being adapted to besecured to the piping at said second location; and b. coupling meansoperably connected to the actuating means and adapted to be connected toa stationary support, said coupling means including:
 2. gearinginterposed between and coacting with the first mechanism and theconnector means; and
 3. a second mechanism for converting rotarymovement of the gearing into lineal movement relative to the connectormeans.
 3. A device according to claim 2 wherein the screw member isconnected directly to the rigid member and moves along the path ofmovement thereof in use.
 4. A device according to claim 2 wherein theactuating means also includes: a. a lever adapted to be pivotallyconnected to the piping at said second location, said lever beingpivotally connected to the other end of the rigid member and to thescrew member at spaced points.
 5. A device according to claim 4 whereinthe lever comprises: a bell crank which is pivotally connected at oneend to the rigid member and at its other end to the screw member.
 6. Adevice according to claim 5 wherein the path of movement of the screwmember is generally normal to that of the rigid member.
 7. A deviceaccording to claim 4 wherein the lever is adapted to be pivotallyconnected at one end to the piping at said second location, is pivotallyconnected at its other end to the screw member and is pivotallyconnected intermediate its ends to the rigid member.
 8. A deviceaccording to claim 5 wherein the path of movement of the screw member isgenerally parallel to that of the rigid member.
 9. A device for use withequipment, such as piping, that is subject to changes in positionresulting from expansion or contraction due to variations in its thermalcondition comprising: a. actuating means adapted to be secured to thepiping at spaced first and second locations and to move relative to thepiping as the piping expands or contracts in response and in directproportion to said variations in thermal condition, said actuating meansincluding:
 10. A device according to claim 9 wherein the first mechanismcomprises: a. a first screw member connected to the other end of therigid member; b. a first nut member operatively associated with thescrew member; and c. a first gear carried by and rotatable with the nutmember and engaging the gearing; and wherein the second mechanismcomprises: a. a seconD screw member connected to gearing; b. a secondnut member operatively associated with the second screw member andconnected to the connector member; and c. a second gear carried by androtatable with the second screw member and engaging the gearing.
 11. Adevice according to claim 10 wherein the first screw member is connecteddirectly to the rigid member and moves along the path of movementthereof in use.
 12. A device according to claim 10 wherein the actuatingmeans also includes: a. a lever adapted to be pivotally connected to thepiping at said second location, said lever being pivotally connected tothe other end of the rigid member and to the first screw member atspaced points.
 13. A device according to claim 12 wherein the levercomprises: a. a bell crank which is pivotally connected at one end tothe rigid member and at its other end to the first screw member.
 14. Adevice according to claim 13 wherein the path of movement of the firstscrew member is generally normal to that of the rigid member.
 15. Adevice according to claim 12 wherein the lever is adapted to bepivotally connected at one end to the piping at said second location, ispivotally connected at its other end to the first screw member and ispivotally connected intermediate its ends to the rigid member.
 16. Adevice according to claim 15 wherein the path of movement of the firstscrew member is generally parallel to that of the rigid member.